Past Challenges

1974 Pierce / Oshkosh Snorkel fire truck (Butch aka Snorkie)

About

I picked this truck up from Gainesville, Georgia on October 17, 2003 after winning it in a sealed bid auction. I was surprised to find that my bid of 2003 dollars won! The truck had a broken drive line yoke so I had to invest 600 bux in a part and pay a guy 500 dollars to install it. For $3103.00 I drove it all the way home to Jacksonville, Florida. It took 14 hours since the truck's top speed is only about 53 MPH. The alternator went out on it as I crossed the Florida line but I limped on in using just battery power!
Since I got the truck I have had a million dollars worth of fun out of it. I take it to parades and car shows a lot. Look for us every year at the UF homecoming parade in Gainesville, FL. The cheerleaders ride this truck. The main picture is from the 2006 homecoming parade for the University of Florida Gators in Gainesville Florida.

Specs

1974 Snorkel truck. You will see these used in early episodes of EMERGENCY! (L.A. County Rescue 51)
It has a big Detroit diesel engine and gets maybe 4 miles per gallon.

Mods

The original alternator would have cost almost $1000 to fix so I put a $200.00 Delco on it instead.
It came with four 6 volt batteries forming two 12 volt banks. I changed this to only two large 12 volt batteries.
I've had a hydraulic mechanic fix two of the outriggers.
It is currently getting a new red paint job.